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May 9, 2006
UK: Islamist Cleric Argues Against Deportation
The man pictured at left is Abu Qatada, pictured as he appealed on December 6 for the release of hostages taken in Iraq. Despite this single act of humanity, Abu Qatada is not known for his compassion and philanthropy. He has been described by a Spanish judge as "al Qaeda's Ambassador in Europe".
Today, according to the BBC, the , the Guardian and Reuters, Abu Qatada is now fighting against deportation to Jordan, where has already been found guilty in absentia of terrorist charges against him.
44-year old Abu Qatada, whose real name is Omar Mohammed Othman, came to Britain in 1993, is appealing against a decision by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) to have him sent back to Jordan. The hearing, at which Abu Qatada is not present, is being held in a basement courtroom in central London.
The Jordanian government has signed an affidaviit, vowing not to kill or torture Qatada upon his return, and as this agreement is not legally binding, it is this which the terrorist's lawyers will be challenging.
Edward Fitzgerald, his lawyer, said: "The appellant strongly suspects that the national security case against him is based on material obtained as a result of torture."
Ian Burnett, government lawyer has said: "The Jordanian government has every reason to make sure that all of the organs of the Jordanian state comply with the obligations set out in the Memorandum of Understanding....This appeal should be dismissed."
Qatada was arrested in February 2001, suspected of involvement with a Frankfurt terror cell who plotted attacks upon a Christmas market in Strasbourg in 2000. When arrested he had an ebvelope contining the equivalent of $14,000, upon which was written "for the mujahideen in Chechnya". He was subsequently released, for lack of evidence of complicity.
18 of his videotaped sermons were found in the German apartment which was used by three of the suicide hijackers who carried out the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001.
When he came to Britain on September 16, 1993, he had a forged United Arab Emirates passport claiming asylum for himself, his wife and three children. He was granted refugee status in June 1994 and granted leave to stay in Britain until June 1998. He has applied to be given unlimited rights to stay, but these requests have not been given formal approval.
Qatada disappeared after the 9/11 attacks, but was discovered and detained in October 2002. He was set free in March this year, and has been under a "control order", meaning house arrest, since then.
The current appeal case is expected to continue for several days.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at May 9, 2006 7:51 PM
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